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By Ron Marvel

Star Correspondent

It’s easy to recognize skilled players in football — the quarterback who throws for 300 yards and four touchdowns or the tailback who runs for 200 yards on 15 carries can make a quick impression. However, players who quietly go about their business, consistently improving and making everyone around them better through their example on and off the field, are invaluable to a program. Happy Valley Warriors Head Coach Jason Jarrett sees that in junior center/defensive end Andrew Ellis. Despite a 21-6 loss this week to South Greene, Ellis’s high level of play on the line stood out.

“Andrew Ellis is an excellent example of what a phenomenal football player and student-athlete should look like. He is one of the hardest-working kids we have,” Coach Jarrett said.

The 6-foot, 225-pound lineman takes pride in what some consider grunt work. “I love playing on the line; it’s all about teamwork. All five have to play together in sync, or it doesn’t work. All five have to have a common goal to get us where we need to go,” Ellis said. Coach Jarrett sees that attitude reflected in Ellis’s play: “His attention to detail is second to none. Andrew has a high football IQ and plays with a tenacious mentality. He makes a lot of calls up front for us,” Jarrett added.

Ellis is the type of player who inspires those around him with his own and his team’s goals. “I have to be an example to propel the team, to be a leader, and give the team someone to look up to each day. We have things we need to get done, including securing a home playoff game,” Ellis said. His development into the top lineman took a lot of work. “When I was in ninth grade, I was like 180 pounds of fat, but work in the weight room helped get the fat off, and now I’m 225 but trimmer at that weight,” Ellis said. He is quick to give credit to Warriors strength and conditioning coach Austin Hicks for helping him in that transformation. Coach Jarrett sees those qualities in more than just football: “Andrew is an even better young man. He has high-quality characteristics, values, and morals. He is just a joy to have as part of the program,” Jarrett exclaimed.

Ellis also added that offensive line coach Randy Ferrell has played a big part in his journey. “Coach Ferrell has been great. He works a lot with us, he encourages us, and he makes desserts for us when we win,” Ellis said.

Andrew has wanted to play for the Warriors for a long time and shared that it has been a goal of his since kindergarten. “I have been at Happy Valley since kindergarten, looking up at those players, going to games with my jersey on, rooting for them, and wearing the maroon,” Ellis shared.

It’s true that players like Ellis may not be the flashiest pick, but for a program like Happy Valley, which is on the rise, they are invaluable.